If you weren’t aware of Garbine Muguruza before Wimbledon then you definitely will be now. On her route to the final she knocked out higher ranked seeds with a presence that meant business. When confronted against Serena in her first Grand Slam final, there were no signs of fear or even intimidation of the setting and situation. Instead she came out firing, breaking serve in the first game as Serena produced three double faults.
When she looked down and out in the 2nd set, she used belief and strength to save championship points and battle from 5-1 down to 5-4.
She may have lost but she gained a lot fans, a lot of experience and (most likely) a lot more confidence.

THE GOODBYES

Lleyon Hewitt has been a man of much entertainment. Even at the age of 34, he competes with youthful vigour, has a determination to rival any young player and never goes down without a fight.
Playing in his final Wimbledon, it was only fitting that his last singles match (taking place on day 1) was a five set marathon and coincidentally against another veteran- 33 year old Jarkko Nieminen- who was also playing his last Wimbledon.
Hewitt saved two match points to extend the match by forty five minutes but eventually lost 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0, 11-9 in four emotive hours.

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THE SURPRISES

Dustin Brown is full of the unexpected. His shots are unpredictable, entertaining and often one of a kind. But, on day 4, did anyone see his match against Rafael Nadal coming? From point one he served sparkly bullets that caused the game to be over in a flash and his exceptionally fast pace made it difficult for his opponent to adjust. Winning in four sets (7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4), he presented himself with an air of authority despite the ranking of 102.

Then there was Jelena Jankovic on day 6. When 30 year old JJ knocked out defending champion Petra Kvitova, she collapsed onto her back, formed a love heart with her hands and left the court tearful with joy. Nothing quite beats the look of disbelief on a player’s face when they achieve a big win.

THE RECORDS

Sam Groth produced the fastest serve of the year and the second fastest serve in Wimbledon history during his match against Roger Federer on day 6. At 147mph, it’s just behind Taylor Dent’s 148mph from 2004.

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And, of course, there was Serena. Beating Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-4 in the final meant, as well as becoming the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam in the open era, she has 6 Wimbledon titles to her name, 21 Grand Slam titles (just behind Steffi Graf with 22), and two ‘Serena Slams’.

THE QUEUE

With Wimbledon being a tournament of tradition, having people partake in a typically British pastime of queuing is only fitting, right?

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This year, Uncle Toni, Judy Murray and Caroline Wozniacki served coffee on behalf of Lavazza as queuers made their way into the grounds on a scorching hot morning.

And Thanasi Kokkinakis handed out pizza to fellow Aussies who were camping over night.

THE EXCITEMENT

Leading to the final, Serena Williams had only dropped a set once and that set was to 59th ranked Heather Watson on day 5. In the second set, a new form of intensity rose inside the 23 year old. Strongly and confidently she became a challenge for Serena, who was faltering and returning balls helplessly into the net. Heather won six straight games to take a 4-0 lead in the third set and was later one game away from knocking out the number 1. But Serena is a warrior and, proving why she is the best, ferociously fought through Heather and the British crowd (which was reminiscent of the 2013 Murray final) to win 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

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Stan Wawrinka had also not dropped a set but on day 9, against Richard Gasquet, he dropped two. The crowd, which had been relatively relaxed and impartial throughout the match, suddenly became more vocal and wide-eyed as the tension built in the fifth.
As Richard served for the match, the Stanimal came out to play- Saving himself and consequently taking things to 6-6. But there would be no tie break and they would duel it out game by game.
When serving, Stan powered ruthlessly a la his Roland Garros victory. Richard too was relentless when serving and would not let the number 4 steel the game. But after a series of clumsy errors from Stan, including his trusty backhand being not so trusty and hitting the ball long, it was the Frenchman who was the winner. 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 11-9.

Matches between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are always exciting but when it’s the Wimbledon final there’s extra excitement in the air. Like a fireworks display to conclude the fortnight, the two players dazzled and soared. Novak’s shots like attention grabbing bangs and Roger’s engagingly pretty. In two hours and 56 minutes the two went at each other, as those as the top of the game do. The first two sets went to tie-breaks, with Novak winning the 1st one and being 4-2 up in the 2nd one.Despite Novak serving for the set four times, Roger showed his brilliance, the crowd erupting as he equalised the match. At 3-2 and a break up for Novak in the third set, there was a twenty minute rain delay to add the tension. When returning, it was the Serb who came out strongest and he won in four sets, 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (10-12), 6-4, 6-3, to obtain his third Wimby title.